DAVID Dunn believes Lions will respond in style following last week’s shocking 24-18 defeat against National Two South strugglers Lydney.

The Chapel Gate outfit also lost forward Ben Featherstone to a dislocated shoulder in that home reverse, although Dunn welcomes some key men back into his squad for tomorrow’s trip to basement dwellers Barking (3pm).

Head coach Dunn told the Echo: “We’re licking our wounds a bit and there is more pressure on us to perform after last weekend.

“But we’re in good spirits and there have been a lot of lessons learned from last week’s defeat.

“We’ve got one or two big players back in contention and that might just make the difference.

“I didn’t have to read the riot act. Everyone was distraught after Saturday. But it puts more pressure on this game and we now have to score five points against Barking because we only got one point last week.

“The defeat didn’t affect our league position, but winning on the road in this league is not easy and we need to target this game for a victory because there won’t be too many away this season.

“The feeling in the ranks has turned from disappointment to determination in the space of a week. Everyone knows why we lost against Lydney and how we lost it, but there is a real determination in the side to put things right.”

Luke Andrews, Tommy Booth and George Drake all return to the Lions squad for the visit to East London, while former Barking man Tim Collier is set to keep his place in the second row.

Dunn added: “It’s a crucial game. Barking have a lot of history with Jason Leonard having started his career there.

“Tim Collier will be in the starting line-up tomorrow and he played for Barking two years ago when they were in the Championship.

“Tim knows them well and he had a good game last week, so we will build on that with him.”

Lions: (from) Pollard, O’Brien, Edwards, Connolly, Chislett, Stewart, Stevenson, Hardcastle, Carrel, Manning, Firetto, Collier, Forrest, Cawley, Grace, Seward, Hart, Pearce, Andrews, Booth, Drake.

  • Swanage & Wareham will be looking to build on last weekend’s morale-boosting triumph against High Wycombe when they host South West One East basement boys Newbury Blues.

Swans could make up some crucial ground in their battle against the drop with a bonus point win over the struggling Berkshire side, who have mustered only two victories this season.

In Southern Counties South, in-form Wimborne visit Corsham, while Oakmeadians welcome Supermarine to Meyrick Park.